CAN’t stop this: Fremont Brewing’s expansions

When the sun comes out, and often even when it doesn’t, it is no surprise to find Fremont Brewing‘s Urban Beer Garden packed to the brim. The local brewery, located on N 34th Street between Albion Place N and Woodland Park Ave N, has been brewing and growing in the neighborhood for the past five years.

The Urban Beer Garden first set up shop in the loading area of the brewery facing Woodland Park Ave. There was a long communal table built up on kegs, several round booths that also incorporated keg furniture, and a rocking horse for the little ones. The tap system came directly from the brewery behind it and the whole thing got packed away during the week to resume normal business.

In October 2012, the Urban Beer Garden (UBG) found a more permanent home in the opposite corner of the building along N 34th Street and Albion Place, where it remains today. This addition allowed the UBG to offer Fremont’s beers 7 days a week, a cold case with pre-filled growlers, six packs of cans, as well as indoor and outdoor seating.

From Fremont Brewing’s website

As word got out the new layout couldn’t contain the thirsty and devoted patrons, this past summer Fremont Brewing increased the outdoor seating available by taking over a section of the adjacent parking lot. As the barrels rolled in and new benches were built Fremont Brewing’s neighbor Bikram Yoga also made a big move to a new location farther west on N 34th Street.

With the yoga studio’s departure Fremont Brewing is now the sole tenant in the building. With cooler weather imminent construction has been focused on expanding the interior of the UBG as well as creating additional workspaces for employees.

The newest part of the Urban Beer Garden is connected to the main entrance through a rolling garage door that replace the adjacent wall and with a separate entrance to the garden. The new space mirrors the current UBG that customers know and love. Warm wood, bold Fremont colors, and a 20 taps stand at the ready.

In addition to more seating and restrooms the new space includes an indoor fire pit that is sure to be popular this winter. At the east end of the building there are now several offices, a kitchen, and locker room for employees.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Fremont Brewing has also announced it will be moving the majority of it’s production to a new space in Frellard at 47th Ave NW and 9th Ave NW. The change will take the brewery from an 8,000 square foot facility to an 80,000 square foot facility.

The building is currently home to McCallum Envelope & Printing. Fremont Brewing will begin renovations on the building in May 2015 to create a new brewhouse, as well as new canning and bottling lines. The original brewing location will be maintained with a lab as an experimental brewery.

As with all of Fremont Brewing’s expansions thus far the renovations will take sustainability into consideration including energy and water conservation. The new production facility will also increase Fremont Brewing’s team, 35-40 full time employees are expected to be hired in 2015.

Matt Lincecum, Founder/Owner of Fremont Brewing explains the company’s choice in choosing the location of the new production facility in a recent press release:

“We chose Ballard because of its strong manufacturing base and besides, the new brewery is only one block outside of Fremont. Even though it’s very expensive, we’re committed to remaining in the City and we simply refuse to accept that blue-collar manufacturing jobs can’t coexist in the new Seattle.”

To top it off Fremont Brewing fans had the opportunity to share where they take their Fremont beer with the popular Fremont Brewing CANpaign. Check out all the winners from the on Fremont Brewing’s Instagram or Facebook.

Join in the festivities, tonight!

Tonight is the Bonfire Ale Release Party from 5-9pm, introducing Fremont’s winter favorite. Five Bonfire Ale infusions will be on tap:

Campfire Coffee

Peach Cobbler

Mexican Hot Chocolate

S’mores

Vanilla Chai

Guests will also have the opportunity to discuss Bonfire Ale with a Fremont brewer at 7pm.